Penrith 6 Sydney Roosters 12
Grand final previews do not come much better than what we all saw on Thursday night.
The Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters blockbuster did not disappoint.
In one of the best defensive games of the season, the Daly Cherry-Evans-inspired Roosters triumphed 12-6.
In terms of quality, the Panthers and Warriors clash at the same western Sydney venue in round 13 was on par.
Cherry-Evans, at 37 years young, and now outright second for most games – his 373 tally only trails Cameron Smith’s 430 NRL games – was brilliant.
He came up with the first try when he stepped off the right foot and skipped past Isaiah Papali’i and Liam Henry.
Cherry-Evans appeared to have sealed the game a few minutes out from full-time when he looked to his right and went to pass, but backed himself and burrowed over the line.
Even then, the Roosters had to survive one last attacking play from Penrith, and the roar and relief from the large number of travelling fans was impressive.
The Roosters bought Cherry-Evans, a former Manly favourite son, because of his experience and leadership to assist James Tedesco.
His kicking game was phenomenal, while his calmness under pressure continues to bring the best out of Sam Walker.
Daley Cherry-Evans scores a late try that won the match for the Roosters.Getty Images
There was speculation this week Cherry-Evans was weighing up a shock move to Super League club Hull FC.
He is in good enough form to play on, and in the box seat to win a second premiership to go with the one with the title he won in his debut season in 2011.
The Roosters will finish the weekend on top of the ladder, with three games remaining against the Wests Tigers, Dolphins and South Sydney.
The Panthers lost no admirers, and are still to welcome back the star cavalry, including hooker Mitch Kenny and Casey McLean, the strike centre who can blow a game apart out wide. They could have done with McLean’s X-factor against the Roosters.
Questions will be asked about Penrith going all the way without Isaah Yeo, who is no certainty to return from a pec injury.
There is no way you can write them off, especially with a fit Nathan Cleary. Dylan Edwards will strip fitter for the run after returning from a shoulder injury, while Yeo’s No. 13 replacement, Lindsay Smith, who set up the only try for Moses Leota, will improve.
Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte makes a typically strong charge.Getty Images
Blaize Talagai was injected into the game late, with Jack Cogger shifting to hooker. The youngster tried his best to spark his team’s attack, but also came up with a bad pass that Mark Nawaqanitawase intercepted.
Nawaqanitawase was at the centre of a controversial “disruptor” call just before half-time, which had TV commentators stumped.
Nawaqanitawase leapt for a Cherry-Evans kick and tried to swat it back with his right arm and missed. Tom Jenkins dropped the ball and Toia was on the spot to put the ball down.
But the bunker intervened, penalised Penrith and Izack Tago for escorting Nawaqanitawase off the ball, then took the try off Toia because of Nawaqanitawase’s actions.
“Absolutely outrageous,” Andrew Johns said of the decision, while Nine colleague Phil Gould said: “That’s a disgraceful call and a disgraceful rule.”
What a bloody great match. The New Zealand Warriors will be keen to have a say about grand final day, but based on the 80 minutes of good old-fashioned sporting entertainment on Thursday night, a Panthers-Roosters GF would be the ultimate.
Cherry-Evans versus Cleary. How many more weeks until the first weekend of October?